What's the proper way to connect a 4 gauge wire to a spade connector?
 

Ok, may sound like a stupid question but I figured I'd ask the audio masters on this board. :)

I am running 4 gauge wire to my amps. I have 4 gauge spade connectors that should connect to the end of the wire and go into the amp. What's the right way to connect the wire to the connectors? The wire fits in it fine but how do I keep it from coming out? It seems like it would be tough to crimp it with pliers and it just seems too big to mess with solder (I'm not a soldering champ to begin with).

What's the right way to do this?

Thanks!!!

chrisssssssssssssssssssssssssssssyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy

Go to home depot.. get the yellow (i think) crimp that has a smaller head but will accomodate a 4 gauge wire...

put the connect on the ground, place a nail across the crimp portion and slam it with a hammer. That's the cheap ghetto way, it works perfectly fine and is perfect if you're only going to do a few. a impact crimper is around $45 for large gauge terminals. They both work on the same principle.

Go to www.weldingsupply.com and search for "840L" in the search box. It wll take you to the Lenco Swedge-On Tool Model 840l. I just used it for crimping ring terminals onto 0awg wire and it worked PERFECTLY. 3 hits with a 2 lb. hammer and it was good to go. At $8.24 plus shipping you can't go wrong.

vise grips help, first set it to crush just a little, than keep adjusting it tighter each crush for about 3 squeezes. When you are done it will be tight as a nuns anus.

Haha, what's up Doug. Long time! I'm still using those kickers.

Thanks for the suggestions everyone. I'm gonna redo the wires on friday after I install my project mu pads!

you need the right sized crimpers man. ive seen those suckers get as big as bolt cutters.

Vice grips, a hammer or a vice. No need to get fancy.

For 4gauge wire, you shouldnt be using a spade connector. That large of wire the amp should have a terminal for Power and ground to accommedate that large size . Im assumming that you are talking about the power and not speakers. If your amp have a screw type terminal that uses a spade connector most likely it is for 8 gauge and small wire.

You have a picture of these amps? it sure would help use to help you

Heres a image for what im talking about, see number 1
http://img410.imageshack.us/img410/6907/pdx1rm6.jpg

its an old school kicker amp.. i should know.. i bought them :D

it has a screw and a flat metal with a hole in it.. that when you screw it.. the metal lifts up..

Oh well in that case, what i do is use a center punch and hammer in a dent to hold in the wire in the connector. Or fine a commercail electrican that has a big gauge cripper.

Here's a ratcheting crimper I ordered for X-mas

http://www.partsexpress.com/pe/showd...number=360-646

Does 8-2 AWG wire

nice find, I just ordered one also

Got one of these also:

http://www.partsexpress.com/pe/showd...number=360-624
Tired of taking 4 snips out of a 4AWG wire

Sears also has a rockin 35 LED rechargeable Shop light
http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_1...me=Work+Lights
15 bucks!
Sorry to OT

I always used a bench mounted vice to crimp them. The only drawback is that it requires planning ahead because you can't really use a bench mounted vice when the wires are already in the car!

If that didn't work, and I was desperate, my Dad is an electrician and has some huge crimping tools. :)

thanks for the info guys. i didn't get a chance to do it on Friday but looking forward to it Sunday. I have the wires available to pull out and crimp but currently no bench vice. I will use the old hammer.

As for the amp, as Doug described, it has a screw that you pretty much need to stick a spade connector in. I assumed it was better to use 4 gauge since I had it already rather then 8. Doesn't hurt right?